26 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Body Changes

At 26 weeks pregnant, your uterus is now about 2½ inches above your belly button. Your weight gain will increase to about a pound per week. You may also experience rib pain, indigestion, heartburn, or stitch-like pains down the sides of your abdomen as your uterine muscle stretches.

You may begin to feel Braxton Hicks contractions more regularly. These contractions are painless, but feel similar to menstrual cramps, and occur at irregular intervals. Braxton Hicks contractions are your body's way of practicing for delivery and will help to tone your uterus for labor.

Your Baby's Growth and Development

At 26 weeks pregnant, your baby will be about 9.2 inches long and will weigh around 2 pounds. He or she is still wrinkly, but will continue to gain weight and fill out as time goes on.

Although your baby's eyes have been sealed shut for the last few months to allow the retinas to develop, they are likely opening and beginning to blink during week 26 of pregnancy.

Your baby begins to make breathing movements (although there is no air in the lungs) and will respond to touch. The eyelids, eyebrows, and fingernails are still developing.

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